Here’s who Maryland’s politicians are endorsing for president as the race narrows

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden picked up several Maryland endorsements after the Super Tuesday primaries, including one from a former Baltimore mayor who had been in Michael Bloomberg’s camp.

U.S. Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger of Baltimore County and fellow Maryland congressman David Trone endorsed the former vice president Thursday, according to a statement from Biden’s campaign.

Former Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said in a text message that she also is endorsing Biden, whose strong performance Tuesday assured his status as a front-runner for the Democratic nomination alongside U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Rawlings-Blake had been a national political co-chair of Bloomberg’s campaign. The former New York mayor announced Wednesday that he was dropping his bid.

Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young announced his support Friday for Biden while talking with students while visiting an elementary school.

Martin O’Malley, a former Baltimore mayor and former Maryland governor who ran for president in 2016, said Wednesday on Twitter that he is “glad to support Joe Biden in Maryland’s upcoming primary — and in the fight against [President] Donald Trump in the fall.”

In January 2019, O’Malley endorsed former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, who dropped out of the race in November and on Monday endorsed Biden.

Former Maryland congressman John Delaney, who dropped out of this year’s presidential race on Jan. 31, also endorsed Biden, calling him “the right person to beat Donald Trump.”

Ruppersberger said in a written statement that “no candidate is better equipped to protect our country from the threats of today and tomorrow than Joe Biden.”

Ruppersberger said he has “spent my entire time in Congress focusing on our national security. I know what’s at stake when we alienate our allies and provoke our enemies.” The Baltimore County Democrat is a former member of the Gang of Eight — congressional members who are briefed on classified intelligence information.

Trone, whose district stretches from the Washington suburbs into Western Maryland, called Biden “an exemplary American.”

Trone said he was impressed with Biden’s commitment to attacking the opioid crisis. Trone’s 24-year-old nephew died of a fentanyl overdose several years ago.

Biden’s campaign has held several Maryland fundraisers. A Baltimore County event last year was organized by Bill Miller, the noted former Legg Mason stock picker and founder of the Baltimore investment firm Miller Value Partners.

Democratic members of Maryland’s U.S. House delegation have split over presidential endorsements.

Rep. Anthony Brown of Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties supported fellow veteran Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana. Buttigieg dropped out of the race Sunday. On Thursday, Brown’s camp announced its support for the former vice president.

“Vice President Joe Biden has already left his mark on our nation — fighting for a stronger middle class, combating violence against women, and keeping us safe at home and abroad," Brown said in a statement. “He is one of the most consequential and extraordinary leaders and statesmen in American history, and as President he will bring the optimism, spirit and vision to deliver for working families and restore honor and integrity to the Oval Office.”

Rep. Jamie Raskin of Montgomery County endorsed U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who dropped out of the race Thursday. He has not announced support for another candidate.